Afghan Media outlets Concerned over “Deterioration of Access to Info”

A number of Afghan media outlets have issued a letter of protest, expressing concern over the deteriorating situation and the right of access to information in the past few months, saying that the process of access to government-related information has gone backwards.

A number of Afghan media outlets have issued a letter of protest, expressing concern over the deteriorating situation and the right of access to information in the past few months, saying that the process of access to government-related information has gone backwards.

At least 30 media outlets in Kabul and other provinces said in the letter that “the indifference and deceptive behavior of the government in this regard will turn into a common thing.”
A number of media representatives, reporters and media faces said Tuesday that they had difficulty accessing information throughout the government as they gathered near the Ministry of Information and Culture and read the protest letter.

The Supreme Court, AGO, NDS, the national procurement authority, the office of the president, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Interior Affairs and the Ministry of Public Health are among the most closed state-institutions in providing information.

The protestors also said that the government has a “double standard” when it comes to implementing the access to information law, and supporting free media.

UNAMA and the country’s IHRC have expressed support for these media demands.

“Access to information is a universal human right & essential for building democratic societies,” said Shaharzad Akbar, the head of IHRC. “Timely and transparent information sharing by government improves public trust in institutions and facilitates citizen engagement,” she added.

“Open and healthy societies promote access to information for citizens. It’s vital for: accountability and fighting corruption, improving government performance and efficiency, encouraging investment and empowering citizens in public life,” twitted the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
The Afghan government has not commented yet.